I am looking at installing a rear view camera, not a reversing cam, I have seen a few cheap imports during my research, however, sometimes you pay peanuts you get monkeys.
I have been warned off wi fi. Anyone with experience of rear view cams would love to hear your thoughts
We have one from "Safety Dave". Its wired into the caravan and the tug, you plug it in next to the 7 point pin when you hitch up. It came with a reversing camera which is good, except with a Prado they cant be mounted centrally and its not much use for lining up the tow-ball to the caravan.
Not cheap, but well worth it, especially on the highways where little cars hide right behind the caravan, so you cant see them with mirrors.
We've got cheap ones of ebay, had them over 2 years and never had problems. Got one on the back of the bus, one on the trailer for when we take that, two on each side to compensate the outside mirrors and a dash cam. Tried a wireless one in our Sahara, but to much interference and drop outs when you need them, particularly if you're in a urban area.
When we were setting our vehicle up we investigated the reversing/rear view but it was $1200 fitted. Ouch. Mainly only need it to hook up so went to Jaycar. $149 for a wireless and it works really well. If we got a new tug I would probably get one pre fitted as the view out the back is good and sometimes cars and bikes sit so close that even though you know they are there, you can't see them. Remember, if you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you.
I fitted a rear view camera on the van after almost getting run off the road after a truck appeared in my rear view mirror, had no idea he was there until then. Did a fair bit of research and deceided on hard wired after many comments about wireless and have since found out that to be the way to go. The camera on the back of the van is just to keep up with what's coming up behinds us within about a half klm. Use my mirrors for the long view so that I don't have to continue to try and sort out the detail. The problem as I see it if you are watching the rear view monitor too long then you are not watchIng what's in front.
The camera feed from the van to the cruiser is via a 5 pin plug/socket. While it only needs one core plus earth I have spares if needed for other things that I might want to bring into the car
we have had our now for about three years, brought it from Jaycar with no problems. My monitor is one that clips on the internal rear view mirror and pleanty big enough. I use that type of monitor as it Is in the same place as the mirror which I would use without the van on the back. When the monitor is not in use it works just likea normal mirror.
hope that helps, works for me
briche
-- Edited by briche on Thursday 26th of December 2013 02:27:36 PM
-- Edited by briche on Thursday 26th of December 2013 02:30:34 PM
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I fitted a rear view camera on the van after almost getting run off the road after a truck appeared in my rear view mirror, had no idea he was there until then. Did a fair bit of research and deceided on hard wired after many comments about wireless and have since found out that to be the way to go. The camera on the back of the van is just to keep up with what's coming up behinds us within about a half klm. Use my mirrors for the long view so that I don't have to continue to try and sort out the detail. The problem as I see it if you are watching the rear view monitor too long then you are not watchIng what's in front.
The camera feed from the van to the cruiser is via a 5 pin plug/socket. While it only needs one core plus earth I have spares if needed for other things that I might want to bring into the car
we have had our now for about three years, brought it from Jaycar with no problems. My monitor is one that clips on the internal rear view mirror and pleanty big enough. I use that type of monitor as it Is in the same place as the mirror which I would use without the van on the back. When the monitor is not in use it works just likea normal mirror.
hope that helps, works for me
briche
-- Edited by briche on Thursday 26th of December 2013 02:27:36 PM
-- Edited by briche on Thursday 26th of December 2013 02:30:34 PM
Agree hard wired seems to be best,,, ours still going OK 6+ years,,,, it's not a distration for us so much as just being aware who's behind and yes we normally see them through mirrors also,,, BUT they can sneak up.
Also with the wide angle lenses it looks like the trucks are about to take out the back RH corner of the van,,, best not to look then.
Cheers Baz
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I also have one purchased from safety Dave on ebay mine is a Sony camera and a generic screen the camera is a 90 degree view not 120 which I have found much better I have now traveled over 30000 klm and still works fine and cost under $200 and its also hard wired.
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